Newton needs help to win

August 05, 2013|Reuters

The Sports Xchange

NFL Team Report - Carolina Panthers - INSIDE SLANT

Entering his third NFL season, Panthers quarterback Cam Newton has plenty to prove. Even though he set a handful of records his first couple years, the main stat that defines Newton is the Panthers' 13-19 record since 2011.

When Dave Gettleman was asked this week if Newton was the quarterback the team should build around, the first-year general manager paused, and then answered, "Yes, he is. But now it's time to win."

But for Newton to be successful, the parts around him have to provide a significant amount of help. To many, some of his growth was stunted by former offensive coordinator Rob Chudzinski, who ran too much of the Panthers' offense through his young quarterback.

Besides needing new offensive coordinator Mike Shula to realize Carolina has a talented stable of running backs that can handle much of the offensive load, Newton would benefit immensely by the emergence of at least one more weapon in the passing game.

Wide receiver Steve Smith and tight end Greg Olsen are very good 1/1A options, but the Panthers' offense would be much more formidable if a guy like fourth-year wideout Brandon LaFell could improve significantly on his 44-catch, 667-yard, four-touchdown 2012 season.

With LaFell locked into the No. 2 spot, free-agent signees Domenik Hixon and Ted Ginn were expected to battle for the No. 3 role. But after very solid OTAs and minicamp, the previously disappointing Armanti Edwards has continued to impress during camp.

During a recent practice in which Smith sat out, Edwards was used as the second receiver during team drills. And the former college quarterback, who many thought would be cut over the past couple seasons, continues to make some eye-catching receptions.

"I'm really excited to see him when we get to actually playing the football games in the preseason," Rivera said. "And I hope it does translate because he's earned it."

While the Panthers desperately need at least one guy from the LaFell, Hixon, Ginn and Edwards group to emerge this season, the fact remains no wideout is as essential as Smith.

The 34 year old is entering his 13th NFL season, but he surprisingly hasn't lost the bulk of his speed or explosiveness.

So what's been his secret to sticking around so long? He credits good genes and a diet of organic foods.

"What I'm doing at 34, there are GM's hoping and praying they can draft a guy that can do what I'm doing," Smith said.

As the clock winds down toward Carolina's new season, there's plenty of folks praying Smith can keep doing what he's been doing. And perhaps there's no one hoping as hard as Carolina's young quarterback and new general manager.

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NFL Team Report - Carolina Panthers - NOTES, QUOTES

--With running back Jonathan Stewart on the PUP list after offseason surgeries on both his ankles, DeAngelo Williams has dominated first-team snaps during camp.

The eighth-year running back lost his starting job in Week 7 last year, but finished the season strong after Stewart went on injured reserve. Williams and Stewart each saw a significant decrease in carries in the first half of the last two seasons, but that should change in 2013.

With former offensive coordinator Rob Chudzinski now the head coach in Cleveland, Mike Shula, the Panthers' new offensive coordinator, is expected to give his backs more carries. But after learning a lesson the past couple years, Williams will be a believer when he actually gets more touches in the regular season.

"The last two years I saw it in camp. I saw it in practice. I saw it all the way up until game time, and then that light switch came on to where we threw it more than we ran it," Williams said. "But I think we're going back to the traditional football in terms of where the run and the pass complement each other."

--After releasing tight end Nelson Rosario, the Panthers added third-year tight end Zack Pianalto. The former North Carolina Tar Heel caught four passes in 13 games for the Bucs in 2011.

In other moves, the team released former starting guard Geoff Hangartner, signed guard Chris Scott, claimed safety Ricardo Silva off waivers from the Lions, and waived/injured defensive tackle Linden Gaydosh. The CFL's No. 1 pick in the 2012 draft injured his back in practice, and he went on ijjured reserve after clearing waivers.

--The Panthers announced a crowd of 20,134 for their annual Fan Fest at Bank of America Stadium. And while most of the attention focused on the players, the best story from the day centered on one of the team's coaches.

Jack Bolton, an 8-year-old fan, was associate head coach to Ron Rivera during practice. Bolton has spinal muscular atrophy, and the Make-A-Wish Foundation teamed with the Panthers to grant his wish "to coach with Ron Rivera."

General manager Dave Gettleman signed Bolton to a one-day contract, and Bolton was given his own locker, uniform, challenge flag and whistle.